As the president of the American Indian Student Organization at the University of Maine, I felt it was crucial that as college students and members of our group to participate in the twitter campaign for #DearNativeYouth. The campaign is designed to encourage, motivate, and inspire our Native Youth not to give up, to follow their dreams and to support one another. The following are some of the responses:
#DearNativeYouth:
-You always have a place and there is always a purpose.
– Everything that makes you who you are is important.
-The present is to show how far we’ve come.
-Stay strong. You are worthy. Stay active. Stay happy. Stay healthy.
-To laugh at yourself, is to love yourself.
-Dream big, laugh often, live well.
-Be proud of your culture and embrace it.
-Dance to the beat of your own drum.
-YOU have the power to be who you want to be.
-You’ve already inspired so much without even trying. Let’s see what happens next.
-Be proud. Be strong. Know your worth. Never give up.
All of these responses reach for something in people of any age. My hope is that it reaches our Native Youth deeply and enough for them to push back against oppression and fight to come forth into a bright and beautiful future filled with native culture.
NDN Impact 
Leave your footprint